Notts County v Forest Green preview

Last Updated: 31/08/18 2:52pm

New Notts County manager Harry Kewell will be in the stands for the Sky Bet League Two clash with Forest Green.

Mark Crossley and Jon Goodman will be in charge on Saturday, with Kewell to be in the dugout for the first time at Grimsby in the Checkatrade Trophy next Tuesday. Midfielder Rob Milsom is set for his second debut for the club after following Kewell back to Meadow Lane from Crawley.

Matt Tootle is a doubt after limping off against Lincoln last week on his return from injury, while fellow defender Ben Hall remains sidelined with a groin problem which has prevented him featuring this season.

Left-back Nathan McGinley could be in contention for his Forest Green debut after joining on loan from Middlesbrough this week. The 21-year-old, whose move will be made permanent in January, has already faced Notts County this season having played against the Magpies in the Carabao Cup in what was his sole first-team appearance for Boro.

Rovers boss Mark Cooper was able to select from a full-strength squad for Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie at Wycombe but, after lamenting his side's wastefulness in front of goal, could opt to make changes.

Christian Doidge, George Williams and Isaac Pearce all climbed off the bench at Adams Park, where Rovers twice fought back from a goal down only to go out on penalties, and are pushing for starts.

1:32

Lincoln 3-1 Notts County

Lincoln 3-1 Notts County

Opta stats

Notts County have only faced Forest Green twice before in the Football League and are unbeaten across both games (W1 D1).

Rovers have scored in all three of their games against the Magpies in all competitions but have failed to win any of those matches (D1 L2).

Notts County last failed to win any of their first five league games of a season while in the EFL back in 2013-14, when in the third tier - the Magpies survived relegation by three points that season.

Forest Green have drawn four and won one of their five league games this season, matching their longest unbeaten run in the EFL.

Mark Cooper has not won a game against Notts County whilst in charge at Forest Green (D1 L1); he last beat them in March 2015 whilst in charge of Swindon, which was his third win against the Magpies.

2:27

Forest Green 1-1 Swindon

Forest Green 1-1 Swindon

Prutton's prediction

The sacking of Kevin Nolan is a perfect example of how quickly things can turn in football. Notts County reached the play-off semi-finals last year but it took just five poor games at the start of the season for him to lose his job.

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Forest Green can't stop drawing games. After winning their opener they've drawn the last four, but they find themselves in the top half and they'd be delighted with that position at the end of the season. Things have to turn for Notts County sooner or later, though, and I think it will start on Saturday.